February 3, 2010 - 397 words
Seven Woodstock wrestlers place in tourney
ED GREEN - The Woodstock Independent
Woodstock High School and Woodstock North High School each sent eight wrestlers to compete in the 2010 Fox Valley Conference Wrestling Tournament held Friday and Saturday at Grayslake Central High School. Neither school placed high in team points, but, on an individual basis, the two schools placed seven wrestlers in their respective weight classes.
Heavy favorite Crystal Lake Central won its third consecutive Fox Valley Conference Varsity Wrestling Championship and seven individual titles. Dundee-Crown came in second, and Crystal Lake South was third.
The Blue Streaks placed five wrestlers, including senior Shawn Hovlid (23-12) who took second place in the 152-pound weight class and who was the highest finisher from either school. Senior Chris Horton (171, 23-6), junior Drew Walkington (189, 24-11) and senior Andrew Stolldorf (285, 25-9) each had a third-place finish. Sophomore Kenny Robson (160, 10-10) finished sixth.
"I thought the kids did real well," said Blue Streaks head coach Bob Horton. "We brought eight wrestlers and placed five of them. Some of the matches weren't going their way, but they kept at it and pulled them out. We are bringing the same group to regionals, but each match is going to be very tough."
"I am happy with the outcome today," said Stolldorf. "I was able to place third this year after placing fourth each of the past two years. So, at least, I moved up one. Now, we get ready for regionals."
The Thunder, in its first FVC varsity wrestling tournament, placed two wrestlers from a team of three juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen. Freshman Jake Zientz (125, 27-8) took fifth-place, and sophomore Jesse Eames (285, 16-9) took sixth.
"I saw some good things out there," said Thunder coach Jim Guttridge. " We have to remember, these guys are all young."
"I was expecting to go two and out in my first varsity tournament," Zientz said of his participation in the double-elimination tournament. "We have a tough conference. I'm really happy I placed."
Thunder sophomore Dustin Kroening, who has had an excellent year (15-10 overall) wanted a better showing in his first conference tournament.
"Things didn't go as well as I had hoped," Kroening said. "I'm going to work real hard this week and go after it as best I can at the regionals."
The IHSA regionals will be Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 and 6, at WHS. All high schools in Woodstock will compete against each other to advance to sectionals.
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